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Ophicleide part of “Poet & Peasant” - Euph or Travel Tuba?
Posted: Thu Sep 05, 2019 9:25 pm
by Conn 2J CC
I play Tuba for Parkland College’s Orchestra in Champaign, IL. This semester we’re playing the overture to “Poet & Peasant” by Fanz Von Suppe, which calls for Ophicleide, which I don’t own one of. The range of the part is compact (C natural below the staff to D natural in the staff). While the part would sound fine on my Tubenet namesake (a Conn 2J CC), I’m wondering if anyone here has ever played this part on anything other than a modern Tuba in an effort to try to get a sound that might be more comparable to an Ophicleide, such as a Euphonium or a Tornister (travel) Tuba.
I own a non-compensating Euphonium and a Bass Trombone, and our Bass Trombonist owns a compensating Euphonium, so I could trade parts with him. There’s also someone in the area I know who owns a Wessex BBb travel Tuba - I suppose I could ask if he would let me borrow his.
Thanks in advance -
Re: Ophicleide part of “Poet & Peasant” - Euph or Travel Tub
Posted: Fri Sep 06, 2019 1:19 am
by Snake Charmer
Play it your Conn and it will sound great. Just play relaxed and don't push the dynamics. The tornister BBb would be the second best option, but I do not recommend trying it on euphonium. Most of the time you have to play these low Es, Ds, Dbs and Cs, which are all a bit stuffy on a compensated euph and tricky on a non-compensator. The ophicleide is much more open in this register.
Re: Ophicleide part of “Poet & Peasant” - Euph or Travel Tub
Posted: Fri Sep 06, 2019 5:24 pm
by Three Valves
The poor bastard counts more measures than we do.
Re: Ophicleide part of “Poet & Peasant” - Euph or Travel Tub
Posted: Sat Sep 07, 2019 10:40 am
by Conn 2J CC
Snake Charmer and Bloke - I had the feeling your advice would be what I'd get, and it's certainly good advice at that. Okay, I'm sticking with my Conn 2J for this one, and playing it as tastefully as possible.
Thank you, gentlemen -
Re: Ophicleide part of “Poet & Peasant” - Euph or Travel Tub
Posted: Sat Sep 07, 2019 11:13 am
by iiipopes
Snake Charmer wrote:Play it your Conn and it will sound great. Just play relaxed and don't push the dynamics. The tornister BBb would be the second best option, but I do not recommend trying it on euphonium. Most of the time you have to play these low Es, Ds, Dbs and Cs, which are all a bit stuffy on a compensated euph and tricky on a non-compensator. The ophicleide is much more open in this register.
Late to the party, but I concur. The smaller bore of the Conn will give better definition to the sound and not overpower the balance of the parts.